Commentary on Al-Baqarah 2:231 — Do Not Harm Women

سورۃ البقرۃ ۲۳۱

وَإِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَبَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ سَرِّحُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍ ۚ وَلَا تُمْسِكُوهُنَّ ضِرَارًا لِّتَعْتَدُوا ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَقَدْ ظَلَمَ نَفْسَهُ ۚ وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا آيَاتِ اللَّهِ هُزُوًا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَا أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ وَالْحِكْمَةِ يَعِظُكُم بِهِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

(Al-Baqarah 2:231) "And when you divorce women and they have (nearly) fulfilled their term, either retain them according to acceptable terms or release them according to acceptable terms, and do not keep them, intending harm, to transgress. And whoever does that has certainly wronged himself. And do not take the verses of Allah in jest. And remember the favor of Allah upon you and what was revealed to you of the Book and wisdom by which He instructs you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Knowing of all things."

Wa-iza tallaqtum al-nisa': and when you divorce women. Fabalaghna ajalahunna: and they reach their term — the end of their 'iddah. Fa-amsikuhunna: then retain them. Bi-ma'ruf: according to custom and convention — the well-known way. Au sarrrihuhunna: or release them. Bi-ma'ruf: according to convention. Wa la tumsikuhunna dirraran: and do not retain them intending harm. Li-ta'tadu: so that you may transgress. Wa man yaf'al zalika: and whoever does this. Faqad zalama nafsahu: he has wronged his own self — this will be a great shame for him. Wa la tattakhidhu ayat Allahi huzuwan: and do not take the signs of Allah in mockery and play. Wadhkuru: remember and mention. Ni'mata Allahi 'alaykum: Allah's favor upon you. Wa ma anzala 'alaykum: and what was revealed upon you. Min al-kitabi wal-hikmah: from the Book and wisdom. Ya'izukum bihi: through which He admonishes and instructs you. Wa-ittaqu Allaha: and fear Allah. Wa-'alamu: and know. Anna Allaha bi-kulli shay'in 'Alim: that Allah knows everything.

Translation: And when you divorce women and they approach the completion of their 'iddah, then retain them in a dignified manner or release them in a dignified manner according to custom. Do not retain them to cause harm — intending to oppress them. Whoever does this has wronged himself. Do not treat the signs of Allah as a joke. Remember Allah's favor upon you — the Book and wisdom He sent down to teach and admonish you. Fear Allah, and know that Allah has knowledge of everything.

Dear friends! Marriage and divorce are not a game for children. They are a great civilization and its pillars have been shaken. One side introduced the trolleybus of civilization and the other has moved it like a railway train. Hundreds of thousands of people will come — divorce issues are among the most important. Great misunderstandings have spread in people's minds. I wish to point out some principles to benefit the Muslim community.

Women in earlier times suffered great oppression. They would throw off their wives, finish the 'iddah, and renew the nikah. Islam has made two further measures unnecessary. In those times women would be kept in a state of hanging — neither wife nor free. Islam has come twice more with greater benefit: it is not permitted here, and it prevents that harm. Do not keep women hanging, do not oppress them.